Electrical ball game apparatus



Nov. 28, 1950 J. M. HOBBS ELECTRICAL BALL GAME APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1949 J s M Hobbs Nov. 28, 1950 J. M. HOBBS 2,531,979

ELECTRICAL BALL .GAME APPARATUS Filed July 22, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 70 /f 67 /6 2 /7 James M f/obbj' I y K.

A Nor/my Nov. 28, 1950 J. M. HOBBS ELECTRICAL BALL GAME APPARATUS 4 Sheet-Sheet 5 Filed July 22, 1949 Jmes M. Hobbs A Ilorney Nov. 28, 1950 J. M. HOBBS ELECTRICAL BALL GAME APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 22, 1949 Inventor A ttornvy forming a counter and which is provided with six longitudinally spaced openings 39 in each of which is secured two panes of glass 3! having a strip of colored translucent paper or the like 32 interposed therebetween and which bears a numeral. As illustrated in Figure 1, the numerals of the openings 29 of each section l8, l9 and 20 extending from right to left thereof, facing inwardly from the outer side of the outer unit l6, read consecutively 1,1: 2, 3, 4, 5:, and 6' Furthermore the colored translucent strips 32 containing said numerals or on which the numerals are superimposed are each distinctively colored and with the correspondingly numbered openings of the diiferent sections containing strips of the same colors. Beneath each of the openings 35 and within said box-like section 18,

is or 2!! is mounted an electric socket 33 contain ing a light bulb 34. The sockets and light bulbs 33 and so are preferably separated from one another by partitions 35 which separate the interior of the sections l8, l9 and 2! into a plurality of compartments so that light rays from an one bulb 34 can only be emitted through the opening 36 located directly thereabove or through an opening 36 located in the inner wall 31 of said section and which is in transverse alignment with said bulb 34. Each opening 36 preferabl includes a diamond-shaped lens 38 mounted in a lens frame 39 which is secured in the opening 36 and said lenses 38, if desired, may be of the same color as the strip s2 of the complementary opening 38.

which is preferably 1 The other section 26 is of the same shape as the sections I8, is and as but contains no illuminating means or associated parts. Said section 2!, adjacent one end thereof, is provided with a hingedly mounted portion or closure 48 which is hinged along the upper edge of one end thereof as seen at 4: so that the closure 48 may *3 be swung upwardly to an o en position to afford an opening through the section 2! through which operators may enter or leave the enclosure formed by the outer unit It. The outer wall of sure providing a square open space therewithin .in which the inner unit or game board section 1F! is disposed, as seen in Figures 1 and 5.

The inner switch supporting and game board unit "1'! is adapted to be disposed within the outer ,unit or frame it and is sufficiently smaller than said outer unit to afford ample space between the sides and ends of the inner unit H and the inner side walls 31 of the sections of the outer unit so that operators of the game apparatus may conveniently move about in such space in operating the game, as will hereinafter be described. Said inner unit I! includes a top surface or game board 43 to which is secured depending side and end walls 44. The unit H also includes a bottom 45 which is hinged as seen at 46 in Figure 6 along one edge thereof to the bottom edge of one of the side walls as and which is retained in a closed position, substantially parallel to the top surface d3, by suitable Sprin latches M which are secured to and dependfrom the opposite side wall 64, as seen in Fi '.lhe bottom 45 is provided with pivotally mounted legs 48, mounted in the same manner as the legs 26 and which are likewise held releasabl in extended positions by braces 49, corresponding to the braces 28, so that when the le s 38 are extended, the top surface 43 will be disposed in substantially the same plane as the top surface 29 of the outer frame unit 16.

Said top surface 43 is provided at each corner thereof with an upstanding post 56 and with two additional laterally spaced posts 58 at one of its ends. A fence formed of resilient strands 5! is stretched around the top surface 43 and supported b the posts 50 to entirely fence in said top surface except for an opening between the laterally spaced posts at one end of the surface 43 and which space is provided to receive a chute 52, the discharge end of which extends into said opening and with the other, higher end of which is supported by depending legs 53 which are sesured to and rise from the top surface of the section 2| of the outer unit it. The elastic strands 5| may be formed of rubber or may constitute contractile coiled springs.

The top surface or game board 33 is relatively thick, as illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, and is provided with a plurality of spaced concave recesses 56 in its upper side, A switch box is mounted on the underside of the surface 63 beneath each recess 54 and each switch box 55 has a block 56 secured thereto by fastenings 5?. A fastening 58 extends upwardly through each block 56 and into the underside of the surface 43 for supportin the switch boxes 55 on the underside of said surface 43, as best seen in Fig ure 1%. Each recess 5% communicates at its center with a bore 59 which extends downwardly therefrom through the surface 63 and which registers with an opening E9 in the top wall of the switch box 55 disposed therebeneath for reciprocably receiving a rod 6! which extends up wardly from the switch box 55 through the opening 69 and bore 59 and into the recess 54. The rod 6! supports a bridge 62 of electrical conducting material at its lower end, the ends of which bridge are disposed over spaced electrical contacts 63 and 8 which are secured in the bottom of the switch box 55. A contractile coiled spring 65 is fastened to the bridge 62 and to the top of the switch box 55 for urging the bridge 62 and rod iii upwardly to their positions of Figures 13 and 14 so that the upper end of the rod 5| will. extend into the recess 54 and so that the bridge 52 will be above and spaced from the stationary contacts 63 and EM. As previously stated, each of the plurality of recesses 54 of the game board 43 is provided with a switch box 55 and the parts associated therewithas illustrated in Figures 13 and 14.

Referring to Figure 5, the switch boxes 55 are illustrated diagrammatically therein and it will be noted that the number of said switch boxes and accordingly the number of recesses 54 is greater than the number of lamp sockets 33 and lamp bulbs 3 Likewise, each of the switch boxes hear one of the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6; however, the number of switch boxes bearing each of the numerals varies as there are a greater number of switch boxes bear ing the numeral "1 than the other numerals and the number of switch boxes bearing the different' numerals preferably diminish from the numeral 1 to .6 in consecutive'order, As best seen in Figures 5 and 9, each side' wall and end wall is provided with an inwardly recessed wall portion 56 partially defining a recess 67 of the 5, unit I! and which is normally closed by a hinged door 6B, provided with a spring latch 69 for retaining it in a closed position, which extends between aligned portions of the side or end wall 44, with which it is associated. The bottom at is provided with openings 10 one of which opens into each of the recesses 6'1. The end wall 44, located beneath the chute 52 supports an electric plug 7! which is disposed in its recess 6? and which is adapted to be attached to a conventional outlet socket, not shown, of an electric extension cord Ha which extends upwardly through the opening 18 of said recess 6! and into which the plug ll may be engaged upon opening the door 68. Each of the walls 65 of the other recesses 61 mount a master electric socket 72 having six prong receiving slots for receiving a master electric plug 13, as best seen. in Figure 9, having six prongs for engaging with the six slots of the plug l2 for making six electrical contacts therewith. The plug 73 which extends into each of said three last mentioned recesses 67 is connected to one end of a multi-wire electric cord it that extends upwardly through the opening it of said recess 61 so that the plug can be readily plugged into the socket 66 thereof or removed therefrom when the door 68 of said recess is opened, as illustrated in Figure 9. The six wires of each electric cord 14 are connected at their opposite ends to the six contacts of a master electric contact '55 of the outer unit section 18, I9 or 29, which is located adjacent to the side or end wall as from which the electric cord l4 extends and each of the six strands of each cord 14 connects with one of the six contacts of the master contact 15, from each of which contacts extends an electrical conductor 16, which conductors pass through apertures in the partitions 35, as seen at H in Figure 5. Each of the conductors 75 connects with one of the posts it of the sockets 33 of the sections l8, l9 and 2! A conductor wire 19 extends from one side of the plug 7! around a portion of the unit if and outwardly of the recess 6'1 thereof which is located adjacent the outer unit section I8 and thence into said section l3 adjacent its master contact '55. As seen in Figure 9, said recess 6'! contains a contact post 80 to which the wire por-- tion 39 which extends between the unit H and the section I 8 can be detachably connected. The l openings 82 in the beveled surfaces 22 into the section is where it is provided with a plate 83 so that sections of the conductor '19 which are disposed in the counter sections i8 and 89 may be detached when the sections of the outer unit it are disconnected for storage or transportation. The conductor wire 19 similarly connects with posts 35 of each socket 33 of the sections l9 and 20 and is detachably connected at a point adjacent the sections lii and 26 by another contact plate 83. The lens frames 39 are readily removable from the openings 3% to afford access to the lamp bulbs t t and sockets 83 and for attaching and detaching sections of the conductor wire 79 to and from the plates 83. Likewise, as seen in Figure 5, the conductor it which extends from the recess '1 of the opposite side wall is connects with the master contact plate 75 of the section 29 which has wires '56 leading therefrom and one of which connects with each of the posts 78 of the sockets 33 thereof. Similarly, a con- 6: ductor 14 leading from the endrecess 61, located adjacent the section I 9, connects with the master contact i5 of said section H] which likewise has conductors 16 leading therefrom and one of which is connected to each of the contacts 18 of the sockets 33 thereof.

Another conductor 84 leading from the-plug H connects with the contact post 64 of each of the switches 55, as seen in Figure 5. One of the switches 55, designated by the numeral 1, has three conductors -85 leading from its contact 63, each of which conductors connects with a corresponding contact 86 of each of the three sockets 12 and which contacts 86 connect with the strands of the multi-wire conductors 14 which in turn connect with the contacts of the master contacts 15 which are connected to the sockets 33 numbered 1. Each of the other switches numbered 1 has a conductor 85 leading from its contact 63 and which connects with the contact 53 which has the three conductors 85 leading therefrom so that when any one of the switches 55, numbered 1 is closed, each of the three lamp bulbs 34, designated 1 will be energized. One switch of each of the groups of switches 55 numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, and "6 likewise has three conductors 85 leading therefrom to the proper contact 86 of each of the three sockets 12 for making contact with each of the sockets and bulbs numbered 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively, and is connected to each of the other correspondingly numbered switches by a conductor 85 leading from the contact 63 of said switch 55, having the three conductors 85, to the contacts 63 of the other switches bearing the same number.

Assuming that the electric circuits, previously described, are connected to a source of electric current. not shown, by the extension cord Ila, all of the switches 55 will normally be maintained in an open position by their springs so that none of the lamp bulbs 34 will be energized. The game board apparatus i5, as previously stated, is primarily adapted to be used at carnivals and similar places of amusement and the players in playing for prizes select a numb 1,1: 27 3, 5 or 61, pl a coin or marker on or adjacent the opening 30 bearing such number on any one of the three sections 58, E9 or 20. A ball A is then rolled down the chute 52 onto the game board surface 43 and will roll at random about said surface, striking the elastic fence strands 5| which will cause the ball to rebound back and forth in various directions on the board or surface #3. As the ball rolls around the surface 43 it will roll into different recesses 54 and each time that it rolls into a recess 54 the plunger rod 6| which projects into said recess will be depressed for closing the switch 55, associated with said recess for thereby energizing the circuit to the three lamp sockets 33 and lamp bulbs 34 bearing the same number as the switch which is thus closed. However, due to the dished or concave shape of the recesses 52, said ball A, due to its momentum will initially roll into and out of the recesses so that it will engage and disengage a plurality of the recesses 54 and in so doing will causethe differently numbered lamp bulbs 34 to be energized and de-energized producing a flashing light through the openings 38 and 36, which being differently colored, will produce a very attractive and interesting effect. As the ball loses its mementum it will finally come to rest in one of the recesses 54 for closing the switch 55 thereof and so that each of the lamp bulbs 34, bearing the same numeral as said switch will be maintained energized to indicate the winning number. As there are fewer switches bearing the numeral 6 than the numeral and fewer switches bearing the numeral 5 than the numeral 4 and so on consecutivel from 6 to 1 a player winning on the numeral 6 will receive a larger return or a better prize than a player winning on the numeral "5 and so on consecutively from H6 (1.,

Obviously, the number of switches 55 and recesses 54 on the game board surface 43 may be varied and the number of switches bearing each of said numerals may likewise be varied. The entire game apparatus l5 may be made in various sizes. The inner unit I! is preferably approximately three by five feet in width and length, respectively, and the outer unit I6, as previously stated, is sufiiciently larger so that the operators of the game apparatus may readily walk in the spaces afforded between the inner and outer units.

Various modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A game apparatus comprising an outer counter unit formed of detachably connected sections defining an endless frame, hinged supporting legs connected to said counter sections for supporting said counter unit in an elevated position, certain of said counter sections having a plurality of separate illuminating means con tained therein, said counter sections having openings in the walls thereof provided with distinctively colored lenses for emitting the light rays from the individual illuminating means of said sections, each of the counter sections, provided with the illuminating means, including a correspending number of correspondingly arranged, distinctively marked illuminating means and lens covered openings, the distinctively marked illuminating means and lens covered openings of each of said counter sections corresponding to those of each of the other counter sections, an electric circuit for each of the distinctively marked illuminating means, said circuits all being adapted to be connected to a source of electric current each circuit connecting the correspondingly marked illuminating means of the counter sections containing illuminating means; an inner game board unit disposed within the opening defined by said counter unit comprising an elongated box-like structure having a relativel thick top wall constituting a game board, hinged legs for supporting said game board unit with its top surface at substantially the level of the top surface of said counter unit, said top surface or game board being provided with a plurality of spaced dished-shaped recesses therein, a normally open switch mounted beneath each recess and including a reciprocating plunger extending into the recess, spring means for normally holding each plunger in raised position for normally maintaining the switches in open or circuit interrupting positions, each of the circuits of. the correspondingly marked illuminating means of said counter sections being connected to a plurality of said switches, said game board surface being adapted to support a rolling ball movable into and out of engagement with said recesses for depressing the switch plungers for energizing and de-energizing the illuminating means connected thereto and in one of which recesses the ball is adapted to lodge for maintaining correspondingly marked illuminating means of said counter sections energized until the ball is removed from said last mentioned recess.

2. A game apparatus as in claim 1, said game board having a resilient fence extending substantially therearound and adapted to cause said ball to rebound therefrom back and forth at random over said game board surface until its momentum is spent.

3. A game apparatus as in claim 1, said game board having a resilient fence extending substantially therearound and adapted to cause said ball to rebound therefrom back and forth at random over said game board surface until its momentum is spent, and a chute supported on another section of the counter unit extending downwardly and inwardly with respect thereto and having a lower discharge end opening over said game board surface, down which the ball is adapted to be rolled for directing and propelling it onto the game board surface.

4. A game apparatus as in claim 1, another section of the counter unit having a hinged closure forming a gate adapted to be opened to provide an entrance opening to or exit from the space defined by said counter unit.

5. A game apparatus as in claim 1, said inner game board unit being substantially smaller than the opening defined by the counter unit to afford a space therebetween for accommodating operators of the game apparatus.

6. A game apparatus as in claim 1, said game board unit having master sockets in a plurality of the sides thereof, each of said master sockets having a plurality of contacts each forming a part of one of said circuits, each of the counter sections provided with the illuminating means having an extension cord provided with a plurality of conductors extending therefrom, each of said conductors being connected to one of the illuminating means, said extension cord being provided at its free end with a multi-pronged plug for engaging one of said master sockets and including a prong to engage each contact of the master socket for detachably connecting each of the switches to one of the illuminating means of said counter section, each of said conductors constituting a part of one of the circuits.

7. A game apparatus as in claim 1, said game board unit having master sockets in a plurality of the sides thereof, each of said master sockets having a plurality of contacts each forming a part of one of said circuits, each of the counter sections provided with the illuminating means having an extension cord provided with a plurality of conductors extending therefrom, each of said conductors being connected to one of the illuminating means, said extension cord being provided at its free end with a multi-pronged plug for engaging one of said master sockets and including a prong to engage each contact of the master socket for detachably connecting each of the switches to one of the illuminating means of said counter section, each of said conductors constituting a part of one of the circuits, said game board unit including depending side and end walls each provided with a recessed portion, said sockets opening into certain of said recessed portions and being supported thereby, closures in said side and end walls for normally closing said recessed portions and for affording access thereto, and said game board unit having a bottom provided with openings communicating with each of said recessed portions and through which said extension cords and plugs are passable for insertion and removal.

8. A game apparatus as in claim 1, said game board unit having master sockets in a plurality of the sides thereof, each of said master sockets having a plurality of contacts each forming a part of one of said circuits, each of the counter sections provided with the illuminating means having an extension cord provided with a plurality of conductors extending therefrom, each of said conductors being connected to one of the illuminating means, said extension cord being provided at its free end with a multi-pronged plug for engaging one of said master sockets and including a prong to engage each contact of the master socket for detachably connecting each of the switches to one of the illuminating means of said counter section, each of said conductors constituting a part of one of the circuits, said game board unit including depending side and end walls each provided with a recessed portion, said sockets opening into certain'of said recessed portions and being supported thereby, closures in said side and end walls for normally closing said recessed portions and for affording access thereto, and said game board unit having a bottom provided with openings communicating with each of said recessed portions and through which said extension cords and plugs are passable for insertion and removal, and another of said recesses having a plug supported therein constituting a part of each of said circuits and adapted to be connected to an extension cord leading from a source of electric current and having conductors connected to each of the switches and each of said illuminating means.

9. A game apparatus as in claim 1, said game board unit including side and end walls, each of said switches being supported on the underside of l the game board surface, said game board unit including a hinged bottom connected to one of said side walls and mounted for downward swinging movement to an open position, the legs of said game board unit being mounted on said bottom, and latch means for normally retaining said bottom in a closed position substantially parallel to the game board surface.

JAMES M. HOBBS.

REFERENCES CITE!) The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,319,038 Beeler Oct. 21, 1919 1,678,573 Nakashima July 24, 1928 2,127,396 Faber Aug. 16, 1938 

